Wealth tax is key to a green, just recovery—and long overdue
The cost of COVID-19 has been tremendous—in human lives, socially, culturally and, of course, economically. This pandemic has also thrown the realities of inequality right in our faces. Everybody is talking about recovery now, and many (fortunately) are talking about a green and just recovery. I’ve seen these concepts used in all kinds of ways, […]
The most important climate change policy that no one’s talking about
On March 25, a few weeks into the COVID-19 crisis, the government made an announcement that left most analysts wondering if it had bitten off more than it could chew. Within 10 days, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the government would have a new system up and running to issue direct payments to millions […]
What else is happening while we worry about COVID?
CHELSEA, QUE.—The pandemic, the WE controversy, and ongoing problems with the RCMP have given higher-than-usual profiles to a number of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet ministers—notably Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, and, for all the wrong reasons, Finance Minister Bill Morneau. But there […]
The COVID-19 economic dislocation, climate emergency, and what governments must consider
GIBSONS, B.C.—Six months into the COVID-19 global pandemic, it’s looking increasingly like getting back to normal might take a long, long time and that the social and economic dislocation caused could endanger Canadians in ways just beginning to be appreciated. Here in Canada our governments have done a reasonably good job of containing and controlling […]
It doesn’t require a ‘social revolution’: pandemic reshaping what’s possible, say experts
In a span of fewer than six months, the pandemic has upended, encroached, and transformed, just about every facet of life. The months ahead may help set the course for how society adapts to the conditions unleashed by the pandemic, as governments turn their focus onto recovery efforts while also bracing for another onslaught of […]
Businesses, non-profits urging feds toward ‘bold green recovery,’ but domestic context could push Canada down different path, says expert
As the federal government continues to spend unprecedented sums to float the economy during the coronavirus pandemic, politicians, advocacy organizations, private companies, and experts are trying to increase the pressure on Ottawa to begin new stimulus spending on eco-friendly initiatives that seek to lower Canada’s carbon footprint, kickstart the dormant economy, and live up to […]
A less crowded planet
LONDON, U.K.—If you wanted evidence that reasonably competent government—not great, not corruption-free, just not awful—produces good results in the end, here it is. Back in 1971, when the two countries split apart, Bangladesh had 65 million people and Pakistan had 60 million. By the end of this century, Bangladesh will have around 80 million people—and […]
In the next wave of economic recovery, ‘speed, scale, and simplicity’ need to make way for sustainability
When Finance Minister Bill Morneau provided Canadians with a fiscal update July 8, he described how the federal government helped pull Canadians and businesses back from the brink of financial insolvency due to the country entering lockdown in response to COVID-19. Three principles, he said, were applied to all new programs: speed, scale, and simplicity. […]
Climate leadership is Canada’s best path to world stage
Pundits are wringing their hands over Canada’s frustrated bid for a temporary spot on the United Nations Security Council. But perhaps Canada was auditioning for the wrong role. What if the undeniable but short-term prestige of a UNSC seat has kept critics from recognizing a greater, more important place for Canada on the global stage, […]
The Great Rebuilding, Part Two
